Golf accessory case

ABSTRACT

A golf accessory case is configured to hold a plurality of golf tees in a plurality of receptacles defined in a top sidewall of the case. The case is also configured to releasably retain a plurality of business cards within a recessed area of a front surface of the case. The case may also be configured with a magnetic media to hold a ferrous ball marker. A clip may also be provided on a back surface of the case for providing a convenient retaining of the case to a belt or a golf bag.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to golf accessories and, more particularly, to a case for carrying golf accessories and business cards.

The invention solves the problem of storing golf tees and ball marker on a device that resides on the user's belt or golf bag.

Other devices do not have the capability to store business cards, hold Ball Markers or provide a marketing display.

As can be seen, there is a need for an improved carrying case for golf accessories.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, a golf accessory carrying case, includes a substantially rectangular case housing having a front face and a back face separated by a sidewall around a periphery of the case. Pluralities of receptacles are defined along a top edge of the sidewall. The receptacles are configured to releasably retain a golf tee therein. A substantially rectangular recessed area is defined in the front face of the case and the recessed area is dimensioned to receive a plurality of business cards therein. The case may also include a clip extending from a back face of the case.

In some embodiments, a magnetic media is received within the recessed area. In other embodiments, a ball marker formed of a ferrous material capable of being retained by the magnetic media is also included. A notch may be formed in the top edge of the sidewall and extends into the recessed area. The notch is configured to expose a portion of a top edge of the plurality of business cards when they are retained within the recessed area. In other embodiments, a lip extends from a lateral sidewall of the case and overlaps an end portion of the recessed area. The lip is configured for cooperative engagement with an edge surface of the plurality of business cards to retain the cards within the recessed area.

Other aspects of the invention include a substantially rectangular front case member with front face and a sidewall extending around a periphery of the front case member defining a cavity therein. A substantially rectangular back case member configured for attachment to the front case member. A plurality of receptacles are defined along a top edge of the sidewall, and are configured to releasably retain a golf tee therein. The case also includes a substantially rectangular recessed area defined in the front face of the case. The recessed area is dimensioned to receive a plurality of business cards therein.

In some embodiments, a plurality of notches are defined in a peripheral edge surface of the sidewall and a plurality of tabs extend forwardly from an interior face of the back case member. The tabs are configured for a snap-fit engagement with the plurality of notches to secure the back case member to the front case member.

In other aspects of the invention, a plurality of retaining loops are defined on an interior surface of the front case member, the retaining loops are aligned with the plurality of receptacles and are dimensioned to receive a shaft of the golf tee. Preferably, the loops are dimensioned to receive the golf tee shaft with a frictional fit. A plurality of projections may also extend from the interior surface of the back case member and are substantially aligned with the apertures. The projections may have an arcuate end for cooperative engagement with the shaft of the golf tee when the golf tee is received in the plurality of receptacles and the plurality of retaining loops. In certain embodiments, a magnetic media is received within the recessed area. A ball marker formed of a ferrous material for retention by the magnetic media may also be included.

A notch may be formed in the top edge of the sidewall and extends into the recessed area. The notch is configured to expose a portion of a top edge of the plurality of business cards when they are retained within the recessed area. Alternatively, or in addition to the notch, a lip may extend from a lateral sidewall of the case and overlaps an end portion of the recessed area. The lip is configured for cooperative engagement with an edge surface of the plurality of business cards to retain the cards in the recessed area.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a first embodiment of a golf accessory case.

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the first embodiment of the golf accessory case in use.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the golf accessory case.

FIG. 4 is a front perspective view showing an additional feature of the golf accessory case.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 5-5 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of a second embodiment of a golf accessory case.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 7-7 of FIG. 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention provides an improved golf accessory and business card carrying case and/or placard display.

The golf accessory carrying case 10 of the present invention includes a front case member 16 and a rear case member 14 is configured for the receipt and carriage of a plurality of golf tees 12 and a plurality of business cards 30. In certain embodiments, the case 10 is configured to retain a ball marker 40, commonly utilized to mark the position of a player's ball on a putting green.

The front case member 16 is formed as a substantially rectangular body having a front face and upstanding sidewalls surrounding the front face defining a cavity therein and an aft opening. A plurality apertures 18 are formed in a top sidewall of the carrying case 10 for receiving a tip and shaft portions of the golf tee 12. A plurality of tee holder loops 20 are defined in an interior surface of the front face and are dimensioned to resiliently retain the shaft portion of the golf tee 12 within the case 10. A plurality of notches 24 are formed around an interior edge of the upstanding sidewalls and are configured to receive a cooperating tab 21 that extends outwardly from the back case member 14. The tab 21 and notches 24 are preferably configured in a snap-fit cooperative engagement to join the front case member 16 with the back case member 14.

In some embodiments, the front surface of the front case member 16 has a recessed area 17 formed therein. The recessed area 17 is dimensioned to receive a plurality of business cards 30. In some embodiments, a notch 23 is defined in a top edge of the recessed area 17. The notch 23 is configured to provide access to an edge surface of the business cards 30 to permit the user to withdraw a business card 20 that is retained in the recessed area 17. In other embodiments, the recessed area 17 may include at least one lip 36 overlying the recessed area 17 to facilitate retention of the ends of the business cards 30 carried in the case 10. The user can apply a friction wiping force on the face of the business card 30 such that it will flex for withdrawal of the business card 30 from the recessed area.

In yet other embodiments, the recessed area 17 may also include a magnetic surface 38. The magnetic surface 38 is provided to cooperatively engage with a ball marker 40 that is formed of a ferrous material so as to be retained on the case 10 by the magnetic forces of the magnetic surface 38.

The rear case member 14 is dimensioned to be received with the opening of the front case member 16. As indicated previously, the plurality of tabs 21 cooperatively engage with the plurality of notches 24 of the front case, preferably in a snap-fit arrangement. A clip 22 is disposed extending from a back surface of the rear case member 14. The clip 22 may secure the case 10 to the user's belt or waistband. Alternatively, the clip 22 may be utilized to secure the case 10 to a portion of the user's golf bag, and the like.

The rear case member 14 may also include a plurality of projections 26 aligned with a corresponding aperture 18. The projections have an arcuate end portion configured for frictional engagement with the shaft of the golf tee 12 when carried in the aperture 18.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A golf accessory carrying case, comprising: a substantially rectangular case housing having a front face and a back face separated by a sidewall around a periphery of the case; a plurality of receptacles along a top edge of the sidewall, the receptacles configured to releasably retain a golf tee within the plurality of receptacles; a substantially rectangular recessed area defined in the front face of the case, the recessed area dimensioned to receive a plurality of business cards therein.
 2. The case of claim 1, further comprising: a clip extending from a back face of the case.
 3. The case of claim 2, further comprising: a magnetic media received within the recessed area.
 4. The case of claim 3, further comprising: a ball marker formed of a ferrous material capable of being retained by the magnetic media.
 5. The case of claim 1, further comprising: a notch formed in the top edge of the sidewall and extending into the recessed area, the notch configured to expose a portion of a top edge of the plurality of business cards when retained within the recessed area.
 6. The case of claim 1, further comprising: a lip extending from a lateral sidewall of the case and overlapping an end portion of the recessed area, the lip configured for cooperative engagement with an edge surface of the plurality of business cards to retain the cards in the recessed area.
 7. A golf accessory carrying case, comprising: a substantially rectangular front case member with front face and a sidewall extending around a periphery of the front case member defining a cavity therein; a substantially rectangular back case member configured for attachment to the front case member; a plurality of apertures defined along a top edge of the sidewall, the plurality of apertures providing an opening to a receptacle configured to releasably retain a golf tee therein; and a substantially rectangular recessed area defined in the front face, the recessed area dimensioned to receive a plurality of business cards therein.
 8. The case of claim 7, further comprising: a plurality of notches defined in a peripheral edge surface of the sidewall; and a plurality of tabs extending forwardly from an interior face of the back case member, the tabs configured for a snap-fit engagement with the plurality of notches to secure the back case member to the front case member.
 9. The case of claim 8, wherein the receptacle further comprises: a plurality of retaining loops defined on an interior surface of the front case member, the retaining loops aligned with the plurality of apertures and dimensioned to receive a shaft of the golf tee.
 10. The case of claim 9, wherein the loops are dimensioned to receive the shaft with a frictional fit.
 11. The case of claim 8, wherein the receptacle further comprises: a plurality of projections extending from the interior surface of the back case member and substantially aligned with the apertures.
 12. The case of claim 11, wherein the projections have an arcuate end for cooperative engagement with the shaft of the golf tee when the golf tee is received in the receptacle.
 13. The case of claim 12, further comprising: a magnetic media received within the recessed area.
 14. The case of claim 13, further comprising: a ball marker formed of a ferrous material for retention by the magnetic media.
 15. The case of claim 7, further comprising: a notch formed in the top edge of the sidewall and extending into the recessed area, the notch configured to expose a portion of a top edge of the plurality of business cards when retained within the recessed area.
 16. The case of claim 7, further comprising: a lip extending from a lateral sidewall of the case and overlapping an end portion of the recessed area, the lip configured for cooperative engagement with an edge surface of the plurality of business cards to retain the cards in the recessed area. 